Tool Box Idea

[johnny]

Ammo box mounted with no modification to the bike. I used existing saddle bag mounts and yes the bags will mount with this on. Allows a lot of tools for the ride.

[midias]

Nice very creative.

[Knife]

I like it. Think I'll go to the range today to burn through a couple hundred rounds, and see if I can pick one up while there. Lots to watch today, though - NASCAR (yes, I'm a life-long fan, so sue me), Phillies, Eagles, and ...

[drewl]

Wow, somebody actually put that excessive piece of undertail plastic to work. Good idea for the uber tourers.

[mikew]

And that's not because I ride with you but I might need an extra tool or 2 someday.

[Lgn001]

Nice! It also has the added benefit of making a would-be thief reconsider...

That reminds me, I need to get around to posting pictures of my El Cheapo soft luggage... rack? spacer?

[KC-10 FE]

I must be the odd man out. I think that looks absolutely ridiculous on a modern bike. If it was a Triumph Bonneville, sure.

It is, however, a great idea.

KC-10 FE out...

[Seidts]

That's a great idea for storage! I always seems to go through the two linked belts that I carry on a usual day in traffic. This way I can pull over, reload, and be on my merry way again with out having to dig through my side cases for my extra belts. I'll post my M-249 swivel mount pics as soon as I can get it to stop rubbing on my GPS.....

[Lgn001]

Originally Posted by KC-10 FE

If it was a Triumph Bonneville, sure.
KC-10 FE out...

Yeah, but if was an OLD Bonneville, by the time you brought along all the tools that you might need, the metal bracket supporting the ammo box would probably break off...

[XRayHound]

I remember meeting a guy riding a Suzuki cruiser who had made his own hardbags out of big 20mm cans. They were great, very industrial looking, waterproof in and out... and they had drains. He had ice and cold drinks in the left hand one!
Would look uber ridiculous on a sport bike, like KC said, but I gotta give it to the guy. He had a ton of luggage space that doubled as a built in cooler without the touring dresser look.

[Cyborg]

Nice idea, but wouldn't the weight of the box and tools count against the load limit of the hardcase stays?

[derstuka]

Interesting idea.....I would be concerned about the tools in the box constantly jumping up and down on hard bumps, rattling, and whatnot....causing stress on the box/mounting points, and lots of noise.

[i_needit]

Doesn't the box open from the bottom?

[mikew]

Originally Posted by i_needit

Doesn't the box open from the bottom?

Why yes it does but tools can be pouched along with rag stuffed in the bottom (or was that the top) so loose tools are not going t spill out on the shoulder.

[kd4ysi]

well an extra 20lbs of tools it should wheelie real easy

[johnny]

Thanks for the comments, I just returned from a trip of about 1200 miles, most of it on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Great riding. The "tool box" was handy to have, I had to access it twice for misc. stuff. My take on it is as follows. I removed the two side reflectors, lic. plate light bracket, and rear mounting bracket (4 bolts) which holds the back of the frame for the factory hard bags together. I aligned box, marked for drilling,after drilling, painted it blk.I used the same bolts for rear bracket and lic bracket. I added two graded bolts at the spot the reflectors mounted. No mods to the bike. No contact to body or exhaust areas. No problem removing. Weighed the bags before my last trip, loaded 18# per side rated for 22#. The tools were fitted in a locking plastic container 6x9 in. weight 4.2 lbs- box 2. lbs. The total mounted weight was 42.2 lbs.
I jammed a rag along with the "factory book" to stop movement of the plastic box inside, so when you open the ammo box top to bottom, tools will not just drop out. Also by luck when the hard bags are mounted the lever to operate the ammo box is blocked, so in theory locked. Last, with the bags on or off and the lic plate on most non VFR owners would not notice the add on IMO.
Thanks again.
Johnny

[mweitz]

At first I was like "He only had THREE zip ties". Then I realized it is an 07.

Here is the typical supply for a white 93.

[FJ12rydertoo]

Very creative. Not my cup o'tea, but something different.

The only time I ever carried much in the way of tools was when I was touring on my early '70's model Bonnevilles. Now I don't tour any to speak of and just carry a cell phone. And my tool kit for the Triumph was mostly a chain breaker and extra masterlinks, pair of pliers, and a couple of smaller crescent wrenches. Never was left stranded.